On Aug. 21, Scholastic and Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt are teaming up to celebrate the first total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years and experience this unique celestial event. The hotel is along the eclipse totality line, providing families with the optimal view of this rare celestial occurrence. Kids and parents alike will learn about space with the “Magic School Bus Presents: Our Solar System” book while cherishing this unforgettable moment together. There will be space-themed crafts, story time and photo ops with Scholastic characters and special glasses provided for guests to ensure optimal eclipse viewing. The solar eclipse viewing party is complimentary for hotel guests. My family and I have also been invited to join in on this historic event!

This event is part of the Holiday Inn brand’s Summer of Smiles program, a new offering that provides in-hotel experiences curated for families complete with entertainment for all! These special occasions are the perfect way to spend quality time together and create lasting memories.

You might be asking yourself “What exactly is a solar eclipse?” This event occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to about three hours, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location. For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun from any given location along the path will be about two minutes and 40 seconds. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.

My favorite time of year is fall. The intense heat and humidity are a thing of the past, the leaves are changing colors and there are so many fun outdoor activities to enjoy! Last year I took the girls to a corn maze and we had a blast. This year I wanted to switch it up a bit and I’ve been hearing about Lucky Ladd Farms for years. Located minutes south of Nashville, Tennessee, Lucky Ladd Farms is 60 acres of fun owned by Jason and Amy Ladd. Today the Ladd Family is excited to provide a wholesome source of family entertainment for thousands of visitors each year.
There are so many fun things for the entire family to enjoy. The farm has a corn maze, petting zoo and pumpkin patch just to name a few! The hours during the month of October are Wednesday through Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm. [Read more…]